Tumor angiogenesis: A potential marker of the ongoing process of malignant transformation in leukoplakia patients, removing the veil

Context: The diagnosis of malignant and potentially malignant epithelial lesions of the oral mucosa is based on a careful histologic evaluation of a representative biopsy specimen. The site for the biopsy, however, is always a subjective choice that raises doubts about its representativeness. So far, no simple and reliable method is available for selecting the most appropriate area for biopsy. Colposcopy, a well-known gynecological diagnostic procedure, is helpful in the selection of these sites of epithelial dysplasia depending upon the vascular patterns. Aims: The present study aimed at assessing the vascular patterns by colposcopic findings and selecting the biopsy site in leukoplakia patients and compared the two methods, clinical criteria, and colposcopic examination, for selecting the biopsy site. Settings and Design: Sixty patients between the ages of 30-60 years clinically diagnosed with leukoplakia were included in the study. Materials and Methods: For each of the subject, a thorough clinical examination was carried out followed by colpospopic examination for the selection of biopsy site. The histopathological findings were then compared in the two cases. Statistical Analysis Used: The statistical analysis was done using paired t-test. Results: Based on clinical criteria, a sensitivity of 0.5714 (57%) and a specificity of 0.5000 (50%) and that guided by colposcopic examination to be 0.8571 (85%) and 0.6667 (66%), respectively, was found. Conclusions: From the study, it was concluded that colposcopic examination could prove to be a valuable diagnostic adjunct in the selection of biopsy site for leukoplakia patients.